Description
U.S. Army M36 Truck Machine-Gun Ring-Mount Adapter Plate, P/N C93814 / 5593814, FSN 1005-559-3814
Item Overview
This U.S. Army cast mounting-adapter plate was used with the M36 truck machine-gun ring mount. It connected an M36 support leg or bracket to the M49 circular ring track. A period M36 installation diagram identifies this exact component as “ADAPTER—C93814.” It is structural mounting hardware and does not attach directly to the machine gun.
Identification and Features
The C93814 drawing number follows the earlier Army Ordnance numbering system. Its later seven-digit form is 5593814, and the federal catalog identifies the component as an Adapter, Mounting.
- Official name: Adapter, Mounting
- Original drawing number: C93814
- Later part number: 5593814
- Federal Stock Number: 1005-559-3814
- Later NSN form: 1005-00-559-3814
- Mount application: M36 truck machine-gun mount
- Ring application: M49 circular ring track
- Associated weapons: Browning M1919A4 and Browning M2 Heavy Barrel
- Construction: Cast metal mounting plate
- Status: Inert mechanical mounting component
Function in the M36 Mount
The M36 mount used support legs and brackets to hold the M49 ring above the cab or body of a military truck. This adapter formed the bolted connection between one support assembly and the circular track. It helped hold the ring in its correct position while transferring the weight and firing loads into the mount structure. The weapon’s roller carriage traveled around the M49 track above this fixed hardware.
Associated Browning M1919A4 Machine Gun
The Browning M1919A4 was an air-cooled, recoil-operated, belt-fed .30-caliber machine gun. It was developed from the earlier water-cooled M1917 and became one of the main American support machine guns of World War II. The M1919A4 served with infantry units and on tanks, half-tracks, trucks, and other military vehicles. When fitted to the M36 mount, it provided mobile defense against ground targets and low-flying aircraft.
Associated Browning M2 Heavy-Barrel Machine Gun
The Browning M2 Heavy Barrel was a recoil-operated, belt-fed .50-caliber machine gun designed for use against aircraft, vehicles, equipment, and personnel. Its powerful cartridge and long effective range made it the weapon most closely associated with American truck ring mounts. The flexible M2 could be carried in the M36 cradle and moved around the M49 track, giving the gunner a broad field of fire above the vehicle.
M36 Truck-Mount System
The M36 was a ring-type machine-gun mount developed for open-cab military trucks during World War II. Its major parts included the M49 circular track, vehicle supports, a roller carriage, an adjustable cradle, and mounting adapters such as C93814. The carriage moved around the ring for traverse, while the cradle allowed the weapon to be elevated or depressed. A barrel clamp secured the gun while the vehicle was traveling.
Truck and Vehicle Applications
Army instructions listed the M36 for many open-cab vehicles. Applications included GMC CCKW long- and short-wheelbase trucks, the GMC DUKW amphibious truck, selected Studebaker and Diamond T trucks, and heavier Federal, Autocar, White, Corbitt, and Mack vehicles. Support brackets and installation details varied by vehicle, so this adapter should not be described as fitting every truck or every mounting system that used an M49 ring.
History of Use
M36-equipped trucks supported cargo columns, artillery units, engineers, and troop movements during World War II. The elevated ring gave the gunner room to follow aircraft or move the weapon toward threats on either side of the vehicle. Truck crews trained with the M1919A4 and M2 for antiaircraft and ground defense. These mounts also traveled through combat areas, where they helped protect vehicles and supplies from air attack, ambushes, and exposed ground positions.
Condition
This is a vintage military-surplus mounting component. It may show worn finish, scratches, oxidation, casting marks, storage residue, pitting, or other signs of age and handling. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item. This listing is for one C93814 adapter plate only; the support leg, bracket, M49 ring, roller carriage, cradle, machine gun, vehicle, and mounting hardware are not included unless specifically stated.
Ideal For
This original-pattern component is well suited for collections and restoration projects focused on World War II military trucks and vehicle-mounted Browning machine guns.
- M36 truck-mount restoration
- M49 ring-track displays
- GMC CCKW equipment collections
- Browning M1919A4 displays
- Browning M2 Heavy Barrel displays
- WWII military-truck exhibits
- Army vehicle-armament research
Approx length 12", Approx width 7", Approx height 1", Approx weight 8lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item’s general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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